Discoverer 87 / KH-4A 16 / CORONA 91 Spacecraft:  KH-4A 1016 / CORONA J-18 / OPS 3928 Numbers: 1965 payload #2 ; 1965-002A ; 481st spacecraft, 972nd space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 15 January 1965 at 21h00 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-5, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 414 / Agena D SS-01A 1608). Orbit: 188 km x 426 km x 74.94° x 90,5 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovereded: 9 February 1965. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched a Thor-Agena D booster with an unidentified satellite toward polar orbit from Vandenberg AFB.” “Develop spaceflight techniques and technology.” * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 18, 576 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona :TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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MTV 1 Spacecraft:  ABRES MTV-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #5 ; 1965 1st loss ; 484th spacecraft. Type: [Technology?] Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 21 January 1965 at 21h34 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-576-B3, by an Atlas Satar (1, Atlas D OV-1). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 21 January 1965. Mission: Historical reports: “USAF launched a 45 kg ARV (Aerospace Research Vehicle) satellite pickaback aboard an Atlas ICBM from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The satellite, carrying instrumentation to sample radiation and micrometeoroids, was the first to be sent toward westward orbit around the Earth. Satellite Situation Report for January 31, 1965, did not indicate that the satellite had achieved orbit.” * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 24 (Not reported in Annexe 1) ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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OV1-1 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #6 ; 1965 2nd loss ; 485th spacecraft. Type: [Science & Technology] Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 21 January 1965 at 21h34 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-576-B3, by an Atlas Satar (1, Atlas D OV-1). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 21 January 1965. Mission: Historical reports: x * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: On 9 November 1964, UPI reported that the Air Force would attempt pickaback launch of a secret satellite (OV-1) in December 1964 with hopes of proving a method which would save the taxpayers $370,000 per launch. The 135 kg satellite, carrying its own rocket motor, would ride into space on the side of an Atlas missile making a re-entry test. Near the peak of the Atlas’ flight, OV-1 would spring away, coast for a few seconds, and be launched into orbit by its own rocket. The Atlas would continue on its mission. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, (not reported) ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 383 ; TRW Space Log ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Tiros 9 Spacecraft:  Tiros I (A-54) Numbers: 1965 payload #7 ; 1965-004A ; 486th spacecraft, 978th space object catalogued. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 22 January 1965 at 7h52 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DSV-3C (Thor Delta C 374 / Delta 28). Orbit: 685 km x 2,578 km x 81.6° x 119 min min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: TIROS IX was successfully injected into a polar orbit, but the spacecraft was to have gone into a circular orbit about740 km above the Earth, however, the second stage of Delta burned 11 sec. too long and pushed TIROS IX into an elliptical orbit of 685 km by 2,578 km. First NASA attempt to place a satellite in near-polar sun-synchronous orbit. A hat-box shaped structure, TIROS IX was an 18-sided polygon, 56-cm high, 107 cm in diameter, weighing 138 kg, with one of its flat sides facing Earth when initially injected into orbit. Ground signals to the control system tipped the craft up 90° so that it assumed the appearance of a fat wheel rolling on a track around the Earth. Two cameras were placed on the perimeter opposite each other so that as the wheel rolled at 10 rpm, each camera, in turn, would roll into position and snap a picture, triggered by an infrared horizon sensor. The combination of TIROS IX’s polar orbit and rolling wheel was expected to provide 100% photographic coverage of the Earth's cloud cover during daylight hours. Primary purpose of the TIROS IX launching was to test the new cartwheel concept as a forerunner of a joint NASA-Weather Bureau Tiros Operational System (TOS) of weather satellites.      One of TIROS IX’s two cameras had stopped returning useful photographs, NASA announced on 5 April 1965, possibly because of malfunction of a diode. Second camera was taking about 250 pictures daily of the Earth’s cover. The “cartwheel satellite,” so called because it was moving through space like a rolling wheel with the cameras mounted opposite each other on the perimeter, had taken more than 32,000 pictures, 92% of them useful to weather forecasters. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 25-26, 168-9, 576 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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KH-7 15 / Gambit-1 15 Spacecraft:  KH-7 no. 15 / GAMBIT SV 965 / OPS 4703; AFP-206 SV 965 Numbers: 1965 payload #8 ; 1965-005A ; 487th spacecraft, 980th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 23 January 1965 at 20h09 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7102 / Agena D). Orbit: 143 km x 245 km x 89° x 102.5 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 29 January 1965 (5.2 days). Mission: Historical reports: “Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle with unidentified satellite payload was launched by USAF from Western Test Range.” “Develop spaceflight techniques and technology.” * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 27, 576 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 53 Spacecraft:  DS-A1 No. 5 Numbers: 1965 payload #9 ; 1965-006A ; 488th spacecraft, 983rd space object catalogued. Type: Military Earth upper atmosphere studies & technologies Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 30 January 1965 at 9h36 UTC, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's LC-86/1, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: 227 km x 1,192 km x 48.8° x 98.7 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 12 Agust 1966. Mission: Historical reports: “Cosmos LIII. an unmanned satellite containing scientific equipment for outer space research, was orbited by the Soviet Union. Equipment on board was operating normally.” “Continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series.” * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 41, 576 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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OSO 2 Spacecraft:  OSO B2 (S-17) Numbers: 1965 payload #10 ; 1965-007A ; 489th spacecraft, 987th space object catalogued. Type: Solar observatory Sponsor: NASA Launch: 3 February 1965 at 16h36 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17B, by a Delta DSV-3C (Thor Delta C 411 / Delta 29). Orbit: 552 km x 632 km x 33° x 97 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 9 August 1989. Mission: Historical reports: OSO 2 (OSO-B2), the 234-kg Orbiting Solar Observatory, is the second of eight spacecraft planned by NASA for direct observations of the Sun. It carried eight scientific experiments and has two main section: the wheel (lower) section provided stability by gyroscopic spinning and housed the telemetry, command, batteries, control electronics and gas spin-control arms, and five experiment packages; the sail (upper) section was oriented toward the Sun and contained solar cells and solar pointing experiments. For the first time, the instruments, controlled by ground command, would scan the entire solar surface. OSO 2 experiments were intended to map the frequency and energy of solar emissions and represent a joint Government-university–industry effort. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center managed the project. This spacecraft included parts salvage from the OSO B damaged in April 1964 prior to launch (see below) and components of a spacecraft built for prototype testing.      Six of eight Sun-study experiments functioned well, but OSO II did not achieved all its primary objectives. Satellite was turned off in November 1965 after exceeding its lifetime expectancy by 50% and returning some 9.2 billion bits of data.      After a month in orbit, OSO II had returned about 11 km of tape-recorded data. The satellite was functioning normally, except for failure of the ultraviolet scanning spectrometer and for sporadic return of data from the spectro-heliograph portion of its coronagraph. Earlier problems with data transmissions from the ultraviolet spectrometer had been resolved. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: ON 14 April 1964, a Delta rocket’s third-stage motor (X-248) inexplicably ignited in checkout building at Cape Kennedy, burning 11 engineers and technicians, three critically. The rocket stage had just been mated with Orbiting Solar Observatcry (OSO) in reparation for prelaunch spin testing, when the motor suddenly ignited, rose from the alignment stand, hit the ceiling, knocking off the OSO, and landed in a far corner. USAF said this was the “first serious incident of its kind in 14 years of operations and over 1,400 missile launchings” at the Cape. Two technicians later succumbed to burns sustained in the accident. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Astronautical Events of 1964, p. 135, 141 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 53, 62, 106-7, 576 ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Transtage 3 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #11 ; 1965-008A ; 490th spacecraft, 1,001st space object catalogued. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 11 February 1965 at 15h19 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-20, by a Titan 3A (3A-3). Orbit: Initial: 174 km x 196 km Later: 187 km x 2,840 km Final: 1,769 km  x 2.795 km x 32.15° x 145.6 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Still in orbit. Mission: Historical reports: USAF Titan III-A rocket hurled its third stage (transtage) and two satellites into orbit in a maneuverability test involving three different orbits. Primary goal of the mission was triple ignition of the transtage’s engine. First firing, about five minutes after launch, injected the 3-ton rocket-payload assembly into an orbit of 196 km apogee and 174 km perigee. After traveling once around the Earth, during which the rocket performed a deliberate somersault. the transtage ignited again, burned 37 sec., and shifted the rocket into an elliptical orbit of 2,840 km apogee and 187 km perigee. During one and one half orbits around the Earth, the rocket performed a second deliberate somersault; a third firing put it in circular orbit with an apogee of 2.795 km; perigee; 1,769 km; period, 145.6 min.; and inclination, 32.15°. The transtage then ejected LES I and a 450-kg metal chunk to demonstrate its ability to launch more than one payload.      Transtage performed well, demonstrating by triple ignition of motors, the ability to change orbit several times and also multiple satellite ejection. Payload weight: 5,200 kg, including 3,000 kg transtage and 485 kg of truss ballast. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes:  In July 1964, it was reported that nine payloads had been chosen for flight aboard the research and development launchs of the USAF Titan III. Five of the experiments were said to be experimental communications satellites built by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and the sixth a backup communications satellite from Lincoln Lab. The remaining three were scientific satellites using the modified Arents spacecraft shell. To avoid confusion with the defunct Arents program, the latter spacecraft were to be called Orbiting Vehicle 2 (OV-2). Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 269 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 64-65, 577 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ;; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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LES 1 Spacecraft:  LES stands for Lincoln Experimental Satellite Numbers: 1965 payload #12 ; 1965-008C ; 491st spacecraft, 1,002nd space object catalogued. Type: Communications Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 11 February 1965 at 15h19 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-20, by a Titan 3A (3A-3). Orbit: 2,771 km x 2,800 km x 32.15° x 145.7 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Still in orbit. Mission: Historical reports: LES 1 was a 31-kg experimental communications satellite which had been built by MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory to test advanced components, materials, and techniques which might apply to future communications satellites. Radio signals were to be exchanged between the satellite and ground stations. LES I was to have fired a solid-propellant motor to move to an elliptical orbit with an apogee of 18,500 km and a perigee of 2,775 km, but the motor failed to fire. The spacecraft continued to orbit near the transtage and the metal chunk. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 64-65, 577 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos Spacecraft:  DS-P1-Yu No. 2 Numbers: 1965 payload #13 ; 1965 3rd loss ; 492nd spacecraft. Type: Military technologies Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 12 February 1965, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's LC-86/1, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 12 February 1965. Mission: Historical reports: x * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Pegasus 1 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #14 ; 1965-009A ; 493rd spacecraft, 1,085th space object catalogued. Type: Micrometeroids research Sponsor: NASA Launch: 16 February 1965 at 14h37 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-37B, by a Saturn I (SA-9). Orbit: 496 km x 745 km x 31.7°x 97 min. 496 km x 743 km x 31.7° x 97 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 13 September 1978. Mission: Historical reports: After the 1,450-kg Pegasus I meteoroid detection satellite was orbited achieved, a motor-driven device extended wing-like panels on the Pegasus satellite to a span of 29 metres. Each wing consisted of seven frames hinged together and made up of 208 panels. Pegasus I remained attached to Saturn 1’s second stage as planned. A television camera, mounted on the interior of the service module adapter, provided pictures of the satellite deploying in space.       Pegasus I exposed more than 200 suare metres of instrumented surface. with thicknesses varying up to 4 mm. As meteoroid particles collided with the surface of the panels. they would be registered electronically and reported to Earth. Exposure of the large panel area over a long period would give designers of manned and unmanned spacecraft a good sample of meteoroid data. Pegasus I would be visible from the earth without the aid of telescope on clear nights.      On 27 February 1965, it was reported that Pegasus I was functioning normally and recording information to ground stations on the size and frequency of meteoroid “strikes” or impacts on all three sensor panel groups. Scientists at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center said the numher of penetrations of the panels was not greatly different from the expected level. Pegasus I had a wing-like structure 29.3 metres long and 4.2 metres in width, offering more than 215 square metres of area instrumented to detect collisions with meteoritic particles. The basic information on the penetrating power and frequency of meteoroids was needed for the design of future spacecraft. In addition, data on temperature, power levels, and the intensity of radiation were being received. The latter were also as predicted.      Pegasus had 29-meter (when unfolded in orbit) wings composed of electrically charged panels sensitive to meteoroid hits, affixed to the 12.5-metre-long S-IV 2nd stage of the Saturn launch vehicle.      SA-9 Mission objectives: study distribution, size, and velocity of meteoroids in near-Earth orbit, and continue development of Saturn I launch vehicle. Total weight carried into orbit: 15,000 kg.; 1,450 kg Petasus + 9,000 kg S-IV 2nd stage + 4,500 kg Apollo CSM.      SA-9 launcher performed excellently, marking 8th successful Saturn I flight in 8 attempts. Boilerplate Apollo separated from S-IV stage on schedule.  Pegasus I then deployed its wings. By September 1965, it had recorded meteoroid hit rates of 44 per square meter per years.      On 16 May 1965, it was reported that Pegasus I continued to transmit useful information after months of operation in the space environment.  It was first of a series of three satellites intended to measure meteoroid penetrations of greater structural thicknesses and contained a meteoroid penetration area of almost 215 sq. m. Although useful results had been obtained with 3.8-mm-thick panels, the data obtained with 20-mm-thick and 40-mm-thick panels had not been fully satisfactory because of difficulties in the operation of the detection system. Still, Pegasus I had provided significant information leading to improvement of detection systems on the remaining two Pegasus spacecraft.      Meteoroids probably would not be unduly hazardous to spacecraft flying for short periods in the near-Earth environment, a NASA report indicated on 12 August 1965, based on data from Explorer’s XVI and XXIII and Pegasus I and II.Pegasus I carried three thicknesses of panels but mechanical malfunctions had destroyed the usefulness of data on the .008- and .016-in.-thick panels; 104 penetrations had been reported from the .OO15-in.-thick panels.  * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 71-2 94, 106, 233-4, 376, 577 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Apollo BP-16 (Saturn SA-9) Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #15 ; 1965-009B ; 494th spacecraft. Type: Piloted spacecraft text Sponsor: NASA Launch: 16 February 1965 at 14h37 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-37B, by a Saturn I (SA-9). Orbit: 496 km x 745 km x 31.7°x 97 min. 497 km x 729 km x 31.76° x  97.1 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: Saturn I (SA-9) two-stage launch vehicle orbited a 15-ton multiple payload, of which 1,450 kg was the Pegasus I meteoroid detection satellite and the 4,500-kg Apollo boilerplate Command and Service Modules. This was the eighth successful test in eight flights for Saturn I, and Pegasus I was the first active payload launched in the Saturn tests.       At launch, an Apollo command and service module boilerplate (BP-16) and launch escape system (LES) tower were atop Saturn I, with Pegasus I folded inside the service module. After first-stage separation and second-stage ignition, LES was jettisoned. When second stage (S-IV) attained orbit, the Apollo boilerplate were jettisoned into a separate orbit. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 71-2, 577 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Ranger 8 Spacecraft:  RA-8 Numbers: 1965 payload #16 ; 1965-010A ; 495th spacecraft, 1,086th space object catalogued. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: NASA Launch: 17 February 1965 at 17h05 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 196D / Agena B 6006). Orbit: Impacted on Moon. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Crashed on the Moon: 20 February 1965. Mission: Historical reports: The 366.5-kg Ranger VIII spacecraft, equipped with six television cameras to photograph part of the moon’s surface, was successfully launched. Tracking calculations showed that the path of the probe would miss the edge of the Moon by only 1,828 km, well within the correction capability. The projected impact area was the Sea of Tranquility, a dark area relatively free of crater rays, near the shadow line on the three-quarter moon. Lower-angle lighting was expected to give more contrast and better definition of detail than was in the photographs made by Ranger VII.      On 20 February 1965, Ranger VIII struck its target on the Moon at 4:57:36.8 EST, after radioing to Earth about 7,000 close-up pictures of the lunar surface during the last 23 minutes of flight. The point of impact was 2.59° North latitude, 24.77° East longitude, in the Sea of Tranquillity, an area slightly east-northeast of the center of a full moon. The spacecraft impacted at slightly less than 9,500 km/h. Total distance of travel along its trajectory from lift-off had been calculated as 400,265 km. Accuracy of the shot was reflected in the fact that impact had been planned for 4:57:30, and at 3° North latitude and 24° East longitude.  Ranger VIII had been programed to execute a “terminal sequence” just before impact to point the six TV cameras more in the direction of flight; this sequence was omitted to allow the cameras to cover a larger area than planned and to provide greater continuity with the pictures transmitted by Ranger VII. A second change in the flight was to turn on cameras 23 minutes before impact instead of 13 minutes and 40 seconds. as planned. The new time had been chosen so that initial pictures would be about equal to Earth-based resolution and then continue into impact.       Dr. Gerard P. Kuiper, of the University of Arizona, heading the panel for scientific evaluation of Ranger VIII photographs, said at a press conference shortly after impact that one of the most important results of this flight had been the discovery that the Sea of Clouds and the Sea of Tranquillity were similar in structure. He noted several “odd depressed regions” and said that they could be areas where collapse had occurred, which might suggest the presence of lava fields. He believed the lunar surface was composed of very light, frothy material such as would be formed when rock was melted and allowed to resolidify within a high vacuum, like that on the Moon. The material envisioned by Dr. Kuiper might be considered similar to certain volcanic rocks found on earth: while it would probably be lighter than water, it could still have substantial strength. This theory was based on laboratory attempts several years ago to simulate conditions existing when the moon was formed. Ewen A. Whitaker of the University of Arizona said he felt the lunar material, which he thought had a consistency of crunchy snow, would support a manned spacecraft. He said color lines and sharp boundaries tended to show that the surface was some sort of frothy, lava-like material and definitely not dust. Another member of the Panel,      Mission objective of the 367-kg Ranger VIII: by means of close-in photography, contribute to scientific understanding of lunar surface and support Surveyor and Apollo soft-lunar-landing programs. The spacecraft was 4.5-metre wide and 3.15-metre tall (cruise position, with solar panels extended) add contains mid-course motor, retro-rocket, 1 radio receiver and 3 transmitters, telemetry system, 4 batteries, 6 TV cameras, 9,793 solar cells, 2 antennas, and attitude-control system.  Ranger VIII transmitted some 7,000 close-up photos of the Moon’s maria before impacting on the Sea of Tranquillity on 20 February 1965, after excellent flight. Photo time was last 23 minutes of flight (compared with last 17 minutes for Ranger VII), to provide photos from far enough above the Moon’s surface to be comparable to ones obtainable from Earth. Results indicated the Sea of Tranquillity was similar in structure to Sea of Clouds phoographed by Ranger VII, suggested surface had consistency of crunchy snow. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: New York Times continued its editorial opposition to the national objective for Project Apollo of landing a man on the Moon in this decade. On 19 February 1965, an editorial drew from the two successful major launchings of the week (Ranger VIII and Saturn I SA-9), the lesson that the kinds of experiments on these flights (lunar photography of Ranger VIII and Pegasus I micrometeoroid detection satellite on Saturn I) proved there were many unmeasured perils in space and that “In the face of these uncertainties, the American space program ought to retain maximum flexibility of timing, rather than try at all costs to achieve the artificial goal of a manned lunar landing by 1970.”       On 22 February 1965, following the successful conclusion of the Ranger VIII lunar photography mission, another editorial praised the accomplishment, then noted that the Ranger series was not providing all of the answers to lunar questions critical to the Apollo program, and concluded: “The two successful Ranger shots, however, make clear that much valuable information can be gathered about the Earth’s natural satellite by relatively cheap instrument-carrying rockets that do not risk human lives. This demonstration, and the continuing uncertainties about matters essential for a safe manned round trip to the moon, strengthen still more the case for making progress slowly, without any arbitrary deadline, on Project Apollo.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 73-4, 78-9, 84-5, 97, 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos Spacecraft:  DS-A1 No. 6 Numbers: 1965 payload #17 ; 1965 4th loss ; 496th spacecraft. Type: Military Earth upper atmosphere studies & technologies Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 20 February 1965, from Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome's LC-86/1, by a Kosmos B-1 (63S1). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 20 February 1965. Mission: Historical reports: x * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 54 Spacecraft: Strela-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #18 ; 1965-011A ; 497th spacecraft, 1,089th space object catalogued. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 21 February 1965 at 11h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: 279.7 km x 1.856 km x 56°4’ x 106.2 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 15 September 1968. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos LIV, Cosmos LV, and Cosmos LVI on one rocket booster. All three satellites were moving in close initial orbit. Equipment aboard “for the further investigation of outer space” was functioning normally. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 86, 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 55 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #19 ; 1965-011B ; 498th spacecraft, 1,050th space object catalogued. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 21 February 1965 at 11h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: 279.7 km x 1.856 km x 56°4’ x 106.2 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 2 February 1968. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos LIV, Cosmos LV, and Cosmos LVI on one rocket booster. All three satellites were moving in close initial orbit. Equipment aboard “for the further investigation of outer space” was functioning normally. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 86, 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 56 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #20 ; 1965-011C ; 499th spacecraft, 1,91th space object catalogued. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 21 February 1965 at 11h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: 279.7 km x 1.856 km x 56°4’ x 106.2 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 2 November 1967. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos LIV, Cosmos LV, and Cosmos LVI on one rocket booster. All three satellites were moving in close initial orbit. Equipment aboard “for the further investigation of outer space” was functioning normally. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 86, 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 57 Spacecraft:  Voskhod 3KD No. 1 Numbers: 1965 payload #21 ; 1965-012A ; 500th spacecraft, 1,093th space object catalogued. Type: Piloted spaceship test Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 22 February 1965 at 7h41 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: 175 km x 512 km x 64°46’ x 91.1 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 22 February 1965 Mission: Historical reports: Cosmos LVII satellite was launched by the U.S.S.R. TASS said the satellite carried scientific apparatus “intended for the further investigation of outer space.” Equipment was functioning normally. Many U.S. officials suspected that Cosmos LVII had strayed from its programed flight path and been deliberately destroyed the day after it was launched. The alleged reason was to prevent the satellite from falling into foreign hands. U.S. officials were said to have assumed that Cosmos LVII was a trial run for Voskhod II flight because of similar orbits. According to a Goddard Space Flight Center’s Satellite Situation Report, 51 pieces of the satellite were in orbit on 28  February and 39 pieces on 15 Mach  1965. According to GSFC’s 31 March 1965 Satellite Situation Report, all but six of the 170 pieces into which Cosmos LVII had shattered after being orbited had fallen to earth.      Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series. Reentered on 22 February 1965. Accompanying vehicle disintegrated into more than 160 fragments, the last of which had reentered by 28 March 1965. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: On 14 December 1964, Dr. Eugene Konecci, of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Council staff, told that there had been no mention of airlocks in public or private discussions of the Vostok and Voskhod spacecraft, and no other indications of plans for extravehicular operations. Although the Soviets were aiming at rendezvous, this was expected to be strictly a vehicle maneuver. “Soviet interest in the use of helium-oxygen atmospheres for long-term space vehicles may indicate that they do not have capability for extra-vehicular experimentation,” said Dr. Konecci.       On 15 December 1964, Dr. Eugene B. Konecci said: “I really do not believe at this time that [the Soviets] will attempt manned extravehicular experiments until (1) they have a better space suit, which they appear to be working on; (2) that they have a better fix on the poszible decompression sickness (bends or dysbarism) problems of decompressing from a sea-level atmosphere with nitrogen to a compatible space suit environment; and (3) until we perform the Gemini intentional decompression and extravehicular experiments.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 419, 421 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 86, 124-5, 159, 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Discoverer 88 / KH-4A 17 / CORONA 92 Spacecraft:  KH-4A 1017 / CORONA J-14 / OPS 4782 Numbers: 1965 payload #22 ; 1965-013A ; 501st spacecraft, 1,096th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 25 February 1965 at 21h44 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 432 / Agena D SS-01B 1611). Orbit: 179 km x 367 km x 75.07° x 89.9 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 16 March 1968. Mission: Historical reports: Officially, this ‘DOD Spacecraft’ was launched to “develop spaceflight techniques and technology”. Reentered on 18 March 1965. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 58 Spacecraft:  Meteor No. 2 Numbers: 1965 payload #23 ; 1965-014A ; 502nd spacecraft, 1,097th space object catalogued. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 26 February 1965 at 5h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 581 km z 659 km x 65° x 96.8 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 25 February 1990. Mission: Historical reports: Cosmos LVIII satellite, containing “scientific equipment,” was orbited by the U.S.S.R. Equipment was said to be functioning normally. Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 94, 578 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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AC-5 / Atlas-Centaur 5 Spacecraft:  Centaur AC-5 / Centaur 6C Numbers: 1965 payload #24 ; 1965 5th loss ; 503th spacecraft. Type: Technology Sponsor: NASA Launch: 2 March 1965 at 13h25 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-36A, by an Atlas Centaur (Atlas LV-3C AC-5 / Centaur D 156D). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 2 March 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Two seconds after lift-off, NASA’s Atlas-Centaur 5, carrying a dummy Surveyor spacecraft, exploded and burned on Launch Pad 36B at Cape Kennedy. Failure occurred when two of the three Atlas engines shut off simultaneously due to closing of a fuel-line valve. The 150-ton, 33-metre rocket rose one metre from the pad, then fell back to the ground and exploded. Although burning propellant covered most of the launch complex, no injuries to personnel were reported. Damage to the launching pad was estimated at $5 million. Objectives of the Atlas-Centaur test had been to test the ability of its guidance system and hydrogen-powered second stage to send a payload the size of the 567 kg Surveyor on a precise path to the Moon and to evaluate how well the mock-up Surveyor spacecraft would withstand the stresses of launching.       Launching pad damage caused by the Mar. 2 explosion of an Atlas- Centaur rocket at Cape Kennedy amounted to $2 million and would take three to four months to repair, NASA reported. To avoid delay in the Atlas-Centaur launching scheduled for mid-summer, NASA was speeding completion of a new launching pad that was 90% completed and that could be ready in two months. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 103-4, 120 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 88 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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FOBS 0 Spacecraft:  OGCh Numbers: 1965 payload #25 ; suborbital ; 504th spacecraft, th space object catalogued. Type: Fractional Orbital Bombardment System Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 5 Mach 1965, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-67, by a R-36-0. Orbit: n/a Decayed: n/a Mission: Historical reports: x * * * * * Current overview: Second stage propellant leak led to a fire in the silo, that broke out during fuelling. The rocket exploded, seriously damaging the launch pad at Area 67.  Source: Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's R-36-0 : R

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Kosmos 59 / Zenit-4 #5 Spacecraft:  Zenit-4 s/n 11 Numbers: 1965 payload #26 ; 1965-015A ; 505th spacecraft, 1,191th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 7 March 1965 at 9h07 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: 209 km x 339 x 65° x 89.7 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 15 March 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Cosmos LIX satellite, containing “scientific apparatus,” was orbited by the U.S.S.R. Equipment was said to be functioning normally. Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 109, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Greb VI / Grab 6 / Solrad 6B Spacecraft:  NRL PL 142 Numbers: 1965 payload #27 ; 1965-016A ; 506th spacecraft, 1,271st space object catalogued. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 904 km x 941 km x 70.06° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).      On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed that U.S. launched eight military satellites March 9; these satellites had been unidentified until NASA listed them in its periodic satellite summary.  This was the greatest number of payloads the U.S. had ever orbited with a single launch vehicle and was believed to exceed any multiple launching made by the Soviet Union. (A&A, 1966)      On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed in its periodic satellite summary that two payloads would measure solar radiation.      Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology.  Greb VI  payload: instruments for measurement of solar radiation, telemetry. (GSFC’s 31 March 1965 Satellite Situation Report disclosure that “a U.S. satellite orbited March 9 from WTR was orbiting in eight pieces, four of which were transmitting signals.”) * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 159, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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GGSE 2 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #28 ; 1965-016B ; 507th spacecraft, 1,244th space object catalogued. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 907 km x 938 km x 70.08° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).  (A&A, 1966)      On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed in its periodic satellite summary that two payloads would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft.      Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology. GGSE II payload: gravity gradient stabilization experiments. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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GGSE 3 Spacecraft: Numbers: 1965 payload #29 ; 1965-016C ; 508th spacecraft, 1,292nd space object catalogued. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 907 km x 936 km x  70.06° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).      On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed in its periodic satellite summary that two payloads would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft.      Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology. GGSE III payload: Gravity gradient stabilization experiments. (A&A, 1966) * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Solrad 7B Spacecraft: Numbers: 1965 payload #30 ; 1965-016B ; 509th spacecraft, 1291st space object catalogued. Type: Solar radioation monitoring Sponsor: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 907 km x 938 km x 70.08° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).       On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed in its periodic satellite summary that two payloads would measure solar radiation.      Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology. SOLRAD payload: Instruments for measurement of solar radiation.(A&A, 1966) * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Secor 3 / EGRS 3 Spacecraft:  SEquential COllation of Range Numbers: 1965 payload #31 ; 1965-016E ; 510th spacecraft, 1,208th space object catalogued. Type: Geodesy Sponsor: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 906 km x 938 km x 70.11° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).       Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology. SECOR III payload: geodetic satellite.      On 31 March 1965, U.S. Army disclosed it had orbited a three-satellite earth-mapping system, with two of the spacecraft circling the earth from west to east and the third traveling from pole to pole. The satellites were of the Secor type. Two were fired into orbit earlier this month; the other was launched Jan. 11, 1964. The three spacecraft, each with a radio receiver and transmitter, were helping pinpoint locations on earth that were widely separated by large bodies of water.      On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed in its periodic satellite summary that one payload would map the Earth’s surface.(A&A, 1966) * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 158, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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OSCAR III Spacecraft: Oscar stands of Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio. Numbers: 1965 payload #32 ; 1965-016F ; 511th spacecraft, 1,293rd space object catalogued. Type: Communications (radio amateur) Sponsor: Radio-amateurs Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 907 km x 938 km x 70.08° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III). OSCAR III would transmit signals from 25 amateur radio channels over a 6,000 km radius and was being tracked by ham radio operators at Foothill Jr. College, Calif. Amateur tracking stations in 30 foreign countries were informally participating in the project.       OSCAR III was a 15-kg amateur radio communication satellite. Oscar would broadcast on frequencies that amateur radio operators could track.  (A&A, 1966) * * * * * Current overview: OSCAR III was the first true amateur satellite relaying voice contacts in the VHF 2 meter band. It was also the first amateur satellite to operate from solar power and relay signals from Earth. Its transponder lasted 18 days. More than 1000 amateurs in 22 countries communicated through the linear transponder. The two beacon transmitters continued operating for several months. Weight 16.3 kg. Source: A Brief History of Amateur Satellites ; Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Surcal 4 Spacecraft: Surveillance Calibration Numbers: 1965 payload #33 ; 1965-016G ; 512th spacecraft, 1,310th space object catalogued. Type: Radar calibration Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 907 km x 938 x 70.08° x 103.5 min. 903 km x 942 km x 70° A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 27 March 1981. Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).      Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology. SURCAL was a calibration satellite for Spasur tracking system.      On 19 May 1965, NASA disclosed in its periodic satellite summary that one payload, Surcal (Space Surveillance Calibration), would help improve precision of satellite tracking networks.(A&A, 1966) * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 238, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Dodecapole I / Dodecahodron / Porcupine 1 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #34 ; 1965-016H ; 513th spacecraft, 1,272th space object catalogued. Type: Technology ("Surveillance calibration") Sponsor: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy & U.S. Army Launch: 9 March 1965 at 18h29 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-2, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2A 419 / Agena D SS-01A 2701). Orbit: 904 km x 941 km x 70.08° x 103.5 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A Thor-Agena D orbited eight military satellites, the most in any single launch to date. Two satellites would measure solar radiation (GREB VI and SOLRAD); two would test stabilization methods for future spacecraft (GGSE II and GGSE III); one would be used in geodesy (SECOR III); two would help calibrate satellite tracking networks (SURCAL satellites); and one would transmit radio broadcasts for ham operators (OSCAR III).     Official mission objective: develop spaceflight techniques and technology. SURCAL was a calibration satellite for Spasur tracking system. (A&A, 1966) * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 114, 579 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Transit O-3 / NNS O-3 Spacecraft:  OPS 7087  Numbers: 1965 payload #35 ; 1965-017A ; 514th spacecraft, 1,303rd space object catalogued. Type: Navigation Sponsor: U.S. Navy Launch: 11 March 1965 at 13h39 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 440 AB018). Orbit: 204 km x 914 km x 89.97° x 96.4 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 14 June 1965. Mission: Historical reports: USAF launched Thor-Able-Star booster , placing in orbit an unidentified satellite and U.S. Army’s SECOR II geodetic satellite. SECOR II “failed to deploy properly from its piggyback container.” * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 118, 580 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Secor 2 Spacecraft:  Sequential Collation of Range Numbers: 1965 payload #36 ; 1965-017B ; 515th spacecraft, 1,250th space object catalogued. Type: Geodesy Sponsor: U.S. Navy Launch: 11 March 1965 at 13h39 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-1-1, by a Thor-Able-Star (Thor Ablestar 440 AB018). Orbit: 285 km x 1,033 km x 89.99° x 97.9 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 26 February 1968. Mission: Historical reports: Historical reports: USAF launched Thor-Able-Star booster , placing in orbit an unidentified satellite and U.S. Army’s SECOR II geodetic satellite. SECOR II “failed to deploy properly from its piggyback container.” SECOR II was a 18-kg geodetic satellite.      On 31 March 1965, U.S. Army disclosed it had orbited a three-satellite earth-mapping system, with two of the spacecraft circling the earth from west to east and the third traveling from pole to pole. The satellites were of the Secor type. Two were fired into orbit earlier this month; the other was launched Jan. 11, 1964. The three spacecraft, each with a radio receiver and transmitter, were helping pinpoint locations on earth that were widely separated by large bodies of water. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 118, 158, 580 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 60 Spacecraft:  E-6 No. 9 SA Numbers: 1965 payload #37 ; 1965-018A ; 516th spacecraft, 1,246th space object catalogued. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 12 March 1965 at 9h36 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78 R103-25). Orbit: 201 km x 287 km x 64° 42’ x 89.1 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 17 March 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Cosmos LX satellite, containing “scientific apparatus,” was orbited by the U.S.S.R. Equipment was said to be functioning normally. Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series. Reentered on17 March 1965. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 120, 580 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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KH-7 16 / Gambit-1 16 Spacecraft:  KH-7 no. 16 / GAMBIT SV 966 / OPS 4920 ; AFP-206 SV 966 Numbers: 1965 payload #38 ; 1965-019A ; 517th spacecraft, 1,247th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 12 March 1965 at 19h26 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-3, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7102 / Agena D). Orbit: 156 km x 243 km x 107.6° x 88.5 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 17 March 1965 (5.0 days) Mission: Historical reports: USAF launched Atlas-Agena D booster with unidentified satellite payloads Officially, this ‘DOD Spacecraft’ develop spaceflight techniques and technology. Reentered 17 March 1965. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 120, 580  ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 61 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #39 ; 1965-020A ; 518th spacecraft, 2,267th space object catalogued. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 15 March 1965 at 11h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: 273 km x 1,837 km x 56° x 106 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 15 January 1968. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched into orbit three earth satellites - Cosmos LXI, Cosmos LXII, and Cosmos LxIII - with a single booster rocket. TASS said these satellites were orbiting in close initial orbits. It was reported that the scientific apparatus onboard was functioning normally. Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series. Accompanying vehicle disintegrated into more than 120 fragments. On 19 May 1965, NASA’s Goddard Satellite Situation Report showed that Cosmos LXI, Cosmos LXII, and Cosmos LXIII had become 26 satellites or pieces of satellites. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 123, 238, 580 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 62 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #40 ; 1965-020B ; 519th spacecraft, 1,268th space object catalogued. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 15 March 1965 at 11h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: 273 km x 1,837 km x 56° x 106 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 24 September 1968. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched into orbit three earth satellites - Cosmos LXI, Cosmos LXII, and Cosmos LxIII - with a single booster rocket. TASS said these satellites were orbiting in close initial orbits. It was reported that the scientific apparatus onboard was functioning normally.  Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series.       On 19 May 1965, NASA’s Goddard Satellite Situation Report showed that Cosmos LXI, Cosmos LXII, and Cosmos LXIII had become 26 satellites or pieces of satellites. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 123, 238, 580 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 89 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 63 Spacecraft:  Strela-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #41 ; 1965-020C ; 520th spacecraft, 1,269th space object catalogued. Type: Communications (store/dump) Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 15 March 1965 at 11h02 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-41, by a Kosmos C-1 (65S3). Orbit: 273 km x 1,837 km x 56° x 106 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 4 Novembe 1967. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched into orbit three earth satellites - Cosmos LXI, Cosmos LXII, and Cosmos LxIII - with a single booster rocket. TASS said these satellites were orbiting in close initial orbits. It was reported that the scientific apparatus onboard was functioning normally.  Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series.       On 19 May 1965, NASA’s Goddard Satellite Situation Report showed that Cosmos LXI, Cosmos LXII, and Cosmos LXIII had become 26 satellites or pieces of satellites. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 123, 238, 580  ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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P-35-11 / DAPP 11 Spacecraft: OPS 7353 / DMSP Block 4A F2 Data Acquisition and Processing Program Defense Meteorological, Satellite Program Numbers: 1965 payload #42 ; 1965-021A ; 521st spacecraft,  th space object catalogued. Type: Meteorology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 18 March 1965 at 4h43 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-4300B6, by a Thor-Burner (Thor MG-18 306). Orbit: 528 km x 755 km x 99.03 x 97.5 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 31 December 1989. Mission: Historical reports: USAF launched Thor-Altair booster from Western Test Range with unidentified satellite payload. Officially, this ‘DOD Spacecraft’ develop spaceflight techniques and technology. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 132 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Voskhod 2 Spacecraft:  Voskhod 3KD No. 4 Numbers: 1965 payload #43 ; 1965-022A ; 522nd spacecraft, 1,274th space object catalogued. Type: Piloted spaceship Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 18 March 1965 at 7h00 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: 173 km x 495 km x 65° x 91 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R.’s Voskhod II, manned by pilot Col. Pave1 Belyayev and co-pilot Lt. Col. Aleksey Leonov, was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, TASS reported. The spacecraft set an altitude record, reaching an apogee of 495 km -higher than any manned spacecraft had flown. During the second orbit. Lt. Col. Leonov, clad in a spacesuit with “autonomous life support system.” stepped into space, moved about five meters from the spacecraft (tethered by a cable), and successfully carried out prescribed studies and observations: he examined the outer surface of the spacecraft; turned on a film camera; carried out visual observations of the Earth and outer space: took horizontal, vertical, and somersaulting positions; and returned safely to the spacecraft. TASS said: “Outside the ship and after returning, Leonov feels well.” He spent about 20 min. in conditions of outer space, including 10 min. free-floating in space. Entire procedure was carried out under control of Col. Belyayev, with whom continuous communication was maintained. A television camera fixed to the side of Voskhod II relayed pictures of the maneuver to Soviet ground stations.  Biotelemetric data indicated that both cosmonauts had satisfactorily withstood the orbiting and the transition to weightlessness: the pulse rate of Belyayev and Leonov was 70-72 beats a minute and the respiration rate 18-20 a minute. All spacecraft systems were functioning normall). TASS said Voskhod II would complete at least 13 orbits of the Earth.      After 26 hours. of flight, Col. Pavel Belyayev landed Voskhod II manually near Perm, Russia, TASS announced. The two-man spacecraft had completed 17 orbits of the Earth, one more orbit than planned, and had traveled 720,000 km. This was the first time landing of a Soviet spacecraft had been described as manual. Impact of Voskhod II on the ground, later revealed as snow bank, was described as “soft.”       In an interview with Izvestia, one of the two directors of the Soviet space program, the “chief designer,” whose identity had never been revealed [that is: Sergei Korolev], said the Voskhod II program had called for Lt. Col. Leonov to spend “10 minutes outside the cabin” but that he could have stayed much longer. He said the weight and space saved by having two men aboard Voskhod II instead of three men. as on Voskhod I, had been used to install a decompression chamber and related equipment. The designer said Leonov’s spacesuit was equipped with “duplicate systems” to ensure a high degree of reliability and that a bellows had been installed to allow bending of the torso, arms, and legs.  The “chief theoretician,” [?] said that Leonov’s principal assignment had been to determine man’s reaction to “weightlessness in free space.” He told TASS: “We obtained in practice what we had visualized theoretically before.”      On 20 March 1965, Voskhod II’s two-man crew rested under medical supervision at an undisclosed place in the northern Ural mountains, TASS reported. Soviet space flight headquarters at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan reported that Voskhod II’s antennas had burned away as the spacecraft reentered the earth’s atmosphere. The descent had been tracked by radar units. Lt. Col. Andrian G. Nikolayev, Soviet Cosmonaut, said the order to use manual controls in landing Voskhod II was given by a Soviet ground station, Izvestia reported. It was not known whether the manual landing was part of the original program or was made necessary by a malfunction of the automatic controls.      Soviet Cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev said in the press that "all these operations -- the orientation of Voskhod 2 and switching on of the braking engine -- were performed by my colleague cosmonauts by hand, without the help of automation. They performed this task brilliantly. They carried out this landing excellently." He did not say if they had landed in their target landing area.      Soviet Cosmonauts Col. Pavel I. Belyayev and Lt. Col. Aleksey Leonov appeared in public on 21 March for the first time since they landed Voskhod II in the Perm region Mar. 19. They were en route to Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan where they were expected to undergo detailed medical checkups and debriefings by scientists and technicians before being welcomed in Moscow in Red Square. At a news conference reported by Soviet press, Col. Pavel Belyayev and Lt. Col. Aleksey Leonov said they had sighted an artificial satellite during their flight: “We shouted with surprise when we saw it slowly rotating about 800 meters from our ship.” Neither the satellite nor the orbit in which it was traveling was identified.       Col. Leonov said that when he opened the hatch of the air lock after decompression, he was “struck by a flow of blindingly bright sunlight like an arc of electric welding.” The spacecraft was in its second orbit, passing over Kerch Strait. Space had an unexpected aspect, he said: “Ahead of me was black sky, very black. The sun was not radiant, just a smooth disc without an aureole. Below was the smooth-level earth. You could not tell it was a sphere, only by the fact that the round edge showed on the horizon.” The acrobatics tired Leonov, especially because of the effort required to move. He said that although the program required that he carefully wind the rope that had tethered him to the craft, he found it “a waste of time” and simply pulled it into the hatch. “The commander quickly closed the hatch cover and injected pressure into the air lock,”      Describing the manually controlled landing, Col. Belyayev said the controls were switched on in time and all systems had “worked without a hitch.” He said the spacecraft landed in the northern Ural mountains between two big spruce trees in snow 1.5-3 metres deep.      In an editorial in Aviation Week and Space Technology, editor Robert Hotz said: “The trail-blazing mission of the Soviet Voskhod 2 still is continuing as these lines are written, but it has already opened a new chapter in the history of man’s conquest of space. It also has emphasized again that, unless some drastic changes are made, this history will be written primarily in the Russian Cyrillic alphabet with only an occasional U.S. footnote technically necessary…       “All of this Soviet progress again emphasizes strongly the ultra-conservatism of the U.S. manned space flight program and the utter inadequacy of the tiny step-by-step approach that sounds so convincing when defending under-funded programs. This approach is sounding more and more idiotic in the face of Soviet space achievements…       “Each Soviet manned space flight makes it clearer that the Russians are widening their lead over the U.S. in this vital area. It also makes it clear that the many billions the American people have poured willingly into our national space program for the purpose of wresting this leadership from the Soviets are not going to achieve that goal under the present management…”      On 23 March 1965, an editorial in Red Star, the Soviet Defense Ministry newspaper, revealed that the booster that had launched Voskhod II had developed 650 tons of thrust. The article said Soviet rockets were “unmatched” and that the Voskhod II flight “expedites the appearance of orbital stations and the landing of people in the heavenly bodies.”       NASA Administrator James E. Webb regarded a Russian cosmonaut’s leaving a space vehicle briefly as spectacular but said the U.S. was more intent on developing a space suit that would enable American astronauts to work outside on space vehicles and develop or put together space centers.      On 25 March 1965, it was reported that the use of a special airlock through which Lt. Col. Aleksei Leonov passed from the spacecraft cabin into space and back again was a major factor in the success of the Voskhod II flight Mar. 18, it was reported. According to Soviet sources, the preservation of normal pressure inside the spacecraft throughout flight had had an important psychological effect on both Col. Relyayev and Col. Leonov.      On 25 March 1965, Pavel Belyayev told a Moscow news conference that Voskhod II had been scheduled to land after 16 orbits, but that there was an inaccuracy in “the solar system of orientation” that prevented use of the automatic landing system. He said he then had to obtain radioed permission from the Soviet space center to land by manual control after the 17th orbit. The landing site was overshot “by a certain distance” Belyayev said without disclosing how much.       Leonov described time outside the ship saying “it is too early to call it a pleasant walk. It could not have been done without hard training.” He reported his small push on Voskhod II to move away from it after going out of the hatch started the spacecraft into slow rotation. In pulling himself back to the Voskhod II by his cable, Leonov disclosed he had yanked rather vigorously and had to put his hand out to avoid collision with the spacecraft.       Belyayev said he and Leonov were found by a helicopter 2% hrs. after a soft landing in snowy woods near Perm. He said Voskhod II was airlifted back to the launch site at Baikonur in Soviet Central Asia and could be used again if necessary.      On 27 March 1965, M. V. Keldysh. President of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, commented on the Voskhod II flight in an article in Izvestin: “One of the most significant accomplishments in the conquest of space was the experiment dealing with man’s emergence into space. New, grandiose perspectives are now open for the construction of orbital stations, the docking of spacecraft in orbit and the carrying out of astronomical and geophysical investigations in space. In the near future, it will be possible to create, in orbit around the earth, a Space Scientific Research Institute in which scientists representing the most diversified fields will be able to work. The results obtained as a result of the flight of ‘Voskhod-2’ are most important steps on the way toward carrying out flights to the moon and on to other celestial bodies.”      On 29 March 1965, Pravda gives the first detailed description of the inside of the Voskhod II spacecraft. The airlock was apparently built into the place occupied by a third astronaut during the Voskhod I flight. After Col. Leonov moved into the airlock, his companion, Col. Belyayev, pressed a button that closed the inside door and created a vacuum inside the lock chamber. At the prescribed moment, Col. Belyayev pressed a second button that opened the hatch between the airlock and space, allowing Col. Leonov to climb out. The procedure was apparently reversed for the astronaut’s return.      Russian physicist Gennadii Skuridin made public for the first time: on 4-6 may 196t that pressure in Aleksey Leonov’s spacesuit during his walk was about 0.4 atmosphere] and that Leonov had trouble with his vision and in orienting himself while in space, but was capable of performing useful work. A thirty-minute movie of Leonov’s walk in space gave closeup views of construction of Voskhod II’s airlock, Leonov’s spacesuit, gloves, footwear, and life-support equipment back pack.      Some of Aleksey Leonov’s comments on its EVA were made public on 24 May 1965: “I found that the slightest shift in direction of the force of impact caused rotation in the corresponding plane. Those persons who will be working in space will obviously have much to do in securing their bodies in … [the weightless state]. As for the so-called psychological barrier that was supposed to be insurmountable by man preparing to confront the cosmic abyss alone, I not only did not sense any barrier, but even forgot that there could be one.”      On 12 July 1965, Pavel BeIyayev disciosed in an ariicle in the newspaper Sovietsky Patriot that the heat was so intense when he was forced to land Voskhod II by manual controls that drops of molten metal ran down the portholes. He said when he discovered that something was wrong with the automatic landing system of the two-man spacecraft, he asked ground control for permission to use the manual system-something that had never been done before during a Soviet manned spaceflight.  * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 131-2, 134-5, 135, 136, 138, 139-40, 140, 140-1, 147, 152, 153, 154-5, 156, 157, 216, 278-9, 320, 580-1 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Leonov : the first human-tethered "spacecraft" On 18 March 1965, cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov became a "human satellite" when he exited from his Voskhod spacecraft, making the first "spacewalk". But contrary to future spacewalkers, he was not entirely autonomous from his spacecraft; his spacesuit nearly qualifies as a semi-autonomus spacecraft.

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Ranger 9 Spacecraft:  RA-9 Numbers: 1965 payload #44 ; 1965-023A ; 523rd spacecraft, 2,294th space object catalogued. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: NASA Launch: 21 March 1965 at 21h37 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-12, by an Atlas-Agena B (Atlas LV-3A 204D / Agena B 6007). Orbit:  km x  km x ° x  min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Crashed on the Moon: 24 March 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Ranger IX, equipped with six television cameras, was successfully launched toward the Moon.T he 360 kg spacecraft continued on its 2½-day, 395 000 km trip to the Moon.  Projected target was the crater Alphonsus, about 12° south of the Moon's equator, where gaseous emissions had been reported. Five hours after lift-off, NASA announced that Ranger IX’s course was so accurate it would hit the Moon only 650 km north of the crater target; an inflight maneuver would be executed later to correct this small course error.      After transmitting 5,811 close-up lunar pictures to earth, Ranger IX travelling at 9,617 km/h, impacted the Moon on 24 March 1965 at 9:08 a.m. EST at 12.9° south latitude ant 2.4° west longitude in the crater Alphonsus.  The spacecraft was only six kilometres off target.       NASA had made real-time TV coverage available and the three major networks broadcast “live” pictures during the last ten minutes of Ranger IX flight.  First pictures taken as the photographic probe was 2,000 km from the Moon. had about the same degree of detail as telescope views from Earth.  Those takan a few seconds before impact defined objects as small as 25 cm across, including close-ups of canal-like rilles on the floor of the crater and dimple-like depressions at points along the rilles. Photographs shown on television were taken by the “B” camera, one of two wide-angle cameras used. Four narrow-angle cameras took other shots.      Ranger IX was last in the Ranger series, and otal number of photographs from Ranger VII, VIII, and IX was 17,267.      A panel of scientists analyzed slides of the Ranger IX lunar pictures at a post-impact press conference and noted that crater rims -- some with level areas -- and ridges inside the walls seemed harder than the plains  but that floors of the craters appeared to be solidified volcanic froth that would not support a landing vehicle. Volcanic activity was inferred from indications that the moon had at least three types of craters not caused by meteorite impact.  Dr. Ewan A. Whitaker of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the Univ. of Arizona, said parts of the highlands around the crater Alphonsus and ridges within it seemed harder and smoother than the dusty lunar plains. Dr. Gerard P. Kuiper, of the same laboratory, said of the crater: “It might well be better to make landings there.”       Most significant finding of Ranger IX’s photographs, according to Dr. Eugene Shoemaker of the U.S. Geological Survey, was the smoothness of the crater walls and of the long ridges on the floor of the crater.  Dr. Harold Urey of the Univ. of California referred to black patches in the pictures which he said might be composed of graphite: “… these dark halo craters are due to some sort of plutonic activity beneath the surface of the moon. They do not look to me like terrestrial volcanoes… They look like a unique lunar type of object.” Dr. Urey said a Soviet scientist had reported a red flare near a peak in Alphonsus and that analysis had indicated presence of a molecule with two carbon atoms. He said this was “a very curious situation because this molecule … does not escape from any known volcano” on earth.      President Johnson issued a congratulatory statement that said: “… Coming so close after yesterday’s Gemini success, this far-out photography reveals the balance of the United States space program. Steps toward the manned flight to the moon have become rapid and coordinated strides, as manned space maneuvers of one day are followed by detailed pictures of the moon on the next.”      On 8 Aprl 1965, Dr. Eugene Shoemaker. head of the astrogeological branch of the U.S. Geological Survey, said that the Ranger program had cost a total of about $200 million. He estimated that each Ranger shot had cost just under $30 million and said that, although four of the seven Ranger missions had failed, it would have been foolish to settle for one success: “Just imagine that the Martians sent a Ranger-like camera to take pictures of the Earth. With just one shot, they’d end up with pictures of a space no bigger than the size of an urban lot, or of the peak of the Alps, or of the sand dunes in Arabia. Could they tell anything about the Earth from pictures of just one of these?” The Ranger program gave U.S. scientists good pictures of three different areas of the Moon. Shoemaker said. ’A Ranger picture is worth a million computer words.”       On 15-16 April 1965, world scientists met in a special conference on the lunar surface sponsored by the International Astronomical Union and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center at Greenbelt, Md.       Noting areas of disagreement among scientists, theoretical astrophysicist Thomas Gold of Cornell Univ. tried to explain why the Ranger pictures resolved so little: “The Ranger pictures are like a mirror. Everyone sees his own theories reflected in them.” Prof. Gold saw a moon covered with dust; young craters composed of solid rock while older craters had somehow gone soft; and vast sheets of ice locked under compacted sediment beneath much of the lunar surface.       Dr. Harold C. Urey, Nobel prize-winning chemist from the Univ. of California, referred to evidence of widespread collapse of the lunar surface, probably due to underground movement: “The Ranger IX’s pictures scared me more than anything. There’s all sorts of evidence that some of these craters are sinking.”       Dr. Eugene Shoemaker of the Geological Survey said that chances that the moon’s surface was too soft for the 15-ton LEM were “almost vanishingly remote.” (Simons, Wash. Post, 4/16/65; Clark, NYT, 4/16/65)      Dr. Ewan A. Whitaker agreed with findings in the paper he presented for his colleague, Dr. Gerald P. Kuiper of the Univ. of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Dr. Kuiper concluded that the lunar surface had a bearing strength of between one and two tons per square foot. His calculations, made from data extracted from Ranger IX photographs. was based on the size of rocks ejected from a given impact crater and the distance they traveled. Other tentative findings were that the dark portions of the maria were due to some unknown fluid flows and not lava or ash flows; that the maria were not completely covered with lunar dust; and that the moon’s surface exhibited a remarkable series of fracture patterns which could be due to polar contraction, tidal effects, or some other force. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 140, 142, 146, 148-9, 149, 150, 175, 187-8, 581 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Gemini 3 / Gemini III (“Molly Brown”) Spacecraft:  Gemini SC3 Numbers: 1965 payload #45 ; 1965-024A ; 524th spacecraft, 1,301st space object catalogued. Type: Piloted spaceship Sponsor: NASA Launch: 23 March 1965 at 14h24 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-19, by a Titan 2 (GT-3). Orbit:  km x  km x ° x  min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 23 March 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Gemini III spacecraft (“Molly Brown”), with Virgil I. Grissom (Maj. USAF) as command pilot, and John W. Young (LCdr. USN) as pilot, was successfully launched.      Withing six minutes after lift-off, Gemini III was injected into elliptical orbit with apogee: 224 km; perigee: 161 km; period: 88 minutes.  Speed of spacecraft was 26,700 km/h. Toward the end of the first orbit, 93 minutes after launching, the first maneuver was performed: Grissom fired two small thruster rockets that pushed “backward” on the spacecraft, slowing it down by about72 km/h.  Lessened velocity caused Gemini III to drop in altitude to a near-circular orbit with apogee: 169 km; perigee: 158 km.       Second maneuver occurred during second orbit; Grissom used the thrusters to turn the spacecraft broadside to its flight path. Then, he gave a burst that pushed the craft about 1/50th of a degree from the orbital course. Short bursts, fired rapidly allowed the craft to be turned it into a course nearly parallel to his original one.  Third maneuver came in the third orbit; Grissom fired the spacecraft thruster rockets dropping into an orbit with perigee of 82 km.       Manually controlling reentry, the astronauts turned the spacecraft’s blunt end forward, ejected the section carrying the retrorockets. Four hours and 53 minutes after launching, Gemini III safely landed in the Atlantic Ocean off Grand Turk Island, considerably off target and some 80-95 km away from the recovery ship, Intrepid.       Navy frogmen from hovering aircraft fastened a float around Gemini III. Original plans had called for the spacecraft, with the astronauts still inside, to be hoisted aboard the recovery ship and immediate medical checks made. But when Grissom became seasick, the men were picked up by helicopter and landed on the Intrepid; the spacecraft was recovered later.      The astronauts helped perform two experiments. One was the irradiation of human blood to test the combined effects on it of weightlessness and irradiation. The other was to squirt small jets of water into the plasma sheath that surrounded the spacecraft as it reentered the Earth's atmosphere, testing a theory that a fluid flowing through the ionized layer of atoms would permit radio signals to penetrate the communications blackout common to reentry.       Gemini officials said that, so far as was known, this was the first time a manned spacecraft had maneuvered in orbit, changing its orbital path.      Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, said at a press conference: “This particular flight is noteworthy for many reasons. Perhaps most importantly it is the first manned flight of a Gemini vehicle and it represents, then, the first step in the remaining twelve Gemini flights. In this flight … we did for the first time carry out an orbital maneuver in space. Another first was the first demonstration of reentry control. We did control reentry landing point on this mission. Another first was the use of Syncom for communications with the Coastal Sentry Quebec during the course of the flight.”      An editorial in the March 24, 1965 Baltimore Sun said: “Yesterday’s Gemini flight is described as ‘historic’ and so it was. So too is each successful new space exploration, launched by whatever country, manned or unmanned… What is happening is that a body of knowledge is being accumulated through increasingly accurate photographs and increasingly sophisticated exercises and experiences on the part of the adventurers of our age, the astronauts…”      NASA Administrator James E. Webb made these points: “The most significant accomplishment of the GT-3 flight was that … it provided verification of the basic design, development, test and operations procedures NASA is using to develop manned spacecraft, man-rated launch vehicles and a world-wide operational network…       On 25 March, at a press conference, Virgil Grissom and John Young described the three-orbit GT-3 flight as busy, exhilarating, near-perfect, and short on surprises. They said it was highly significant for future flight in space since it proved that a spacecraft could be maneuvered precisely, at will, and more independently of the ground than before. They said it also proved that man can eat and safely dispose of wastes as they will need to do on long flights. Major Grissom suggested two possible reasons that the “Molly Brown” had undershot the target landing area: one was that something might have gone wrong during the final orbit change or when subsequently the braking rockets were fired to start the spacecraft’s descent; the other was that there might have been a miscalculation of the craft’s center of gravity.           On 6 April 1965, Subcommittee Chairman Albert Thomas (D-Teu.) and the House Independent Offices Appropriations Subcommittee were highly critical of Astronaut Virgil Grissom’s deviation from flight plan instructions during the Gemini III flight and eating a sandwich instead of fasting. According to published reports, one Subcommittee member referred to a “$30 million corned beef sandwich.” and another asked NASA Administrator James E. Webb how he could control a multi-million dollar budget if he could not control two astronauts.      On 21 April 1965, NASA absolved Astronaut Virgil I. Grissom of any blame in the 93-m off-target landing of the Gemini III spacecraft, according to MSC spokesman. The mishap was attributed to the fact that the spacecraft did not develop as much lift as expected.      On 3 May 1965, Charles W. Mathews, Gemini program manager explained why Gemini III landed about 100 km short of predicted spot: The pilots were instructed to fly a bank angle based on wind-tunnel data of Gemini spacecraft’s lift characteristics. But in actual reentry, the spacecraft’s “lift was only about 2/3 of what we had expected it to be.” Onboard instrumentation showed the discrepancy, but the command pilot followed ground instructions. When he ultimately changed the angle, based on the onboard display, it was too late to achieve the spacecraft target. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: On 13 April 1964, NASA announced Gus Grissom and John Young would be prime pilots for the first manned Gemini space flight (GT-3), with Walter Schirra and Tom Stafford as backup pilots.      On 14 September 1964, NASA announced the next U.S. manned space flight, Project Gemini GT-3, had been delayed into 1965 because of time lost as result of lightning damage to GT-2 launch vehicle and removal of the rocket from launch pad during hurricanes Cleo and Dora. Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, said GT-2 unmanned suborbital mission would be made in last quarter of 1964. GT-3, with Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John Young as crew members, was scheduled for first quarter of 1965.       On 17 March 1965, astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young gave the official name “Gemini 3” and the nickname “Molly Brown” to the spacecraft they would ride into orbit Mar. 23.      More than 900 representatives of news media had been accredited, making the GT-3 mission of Astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young the most intensely covered event in the history of space exploration. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 134, 316 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 130, 142, 145-6, 147, 150, 152, 153, 172, 193, 214-5, 581 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 64 / Zenit-2 #26 Spacecraft:  Zenit-2 11F61 No. 17 Numbers: 1965 payload #46 ; 1965-025A ; 525th spacecraft, 1,305th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 25 March 1965 at 10h04 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-1/"Vostok" (8A92). Orbit: 206 km x 271 km x 65° x 89.2 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 2 April 1965. Mission: Historical reports: Soviet Union launched Cosmos LXIV with scientific instruments aboard for investigation of outer space, TASS announced. All systems were functioning normally. Officially: continuation of Cosmos scientific satellite series. Reentered on 2 April 1965. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 152, 582 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Discoverer 89 / KH-4A 18 / CORONA 93 Spacecraft:  KH-4A 1018 / CORONA J-19 / OPS 4803 Numbers: 1965 payload #47 ; 1965-026A ; 526th spacecraft, 1,307th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 25 March 1965 at 21h11 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's LC-75-3-4, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 429 / Agena D SS-01B 1612). Orbit: 180 km x 237 km x 96.02° x  88.9min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 4 April 1965. Mission: Historical reports: USAF launched an unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB on a Thor- Agena D booster. Officially, this ‘DOD Spacecraft’ develop spaceflight techniques and technology. Reentry on 5 April 1965.      On 5 April 1965, Danish satellite tracking station official reported what he believed to have been the explosion of a U.S. satellite launched by USAF Mar. 25. About ten brilliantly lighted objects crossing the sky were at first assumed to have been meteors.  * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 152, 170, 582 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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SNAP 10A / SNAPShot Spacecraft: OPS 4682 Numbers: 1965 payload #48 ; 1965-027A ; 527th spacecraft, 1,304th space object catalogued. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force & U.S. Army Launch: 3 April 1965 at 21h24 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7401 / Agena D). Orbit: 1,268 km x 1,320 km x 90.17° x 111.5 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: Atomic Energy Commission’s 440 kg Snapshot spacecraft carrying SNAP-10A nuclear reactor was successfully launched. Four burns after injection into orbit, radio command from Earth activated by 113 kg nuclear reactor by moving internal shielding that had kept the emission of electron from the uranium 235 fuel element from tracking the chain reaction stage. The reactor would provide electric-power for a 1-kg ion engine. This was the first attempt to test a reactor–ion system in orbit.      Twelve hours after launch, radio signals from the Agena vehicle carrying the reactor indicated it was producing 620-668 watts of electricity - some 20% over its designed power.  Electricity generated by the reactor would be stored in a 218-kg bank of batteries and released as the ion engine was put through start-stop tests during a three-month period.  The engine would manufacture its own power by electrically vaporizing the 100 grams of the metal cesium in its fuel tank into atomic particles and expelling them at high speed through a nozzle to provide thrust of 10 miligrams.      AEC said the satellite would stay aloft more than 3.000 years - far beyond the 100 years it would take for the reactor’s radioactive elements to decay to a safe level. The reactor would be shut down after a year, the ion engine after about three months.      If successful, the test would signal the first operation in space of a light, compact, propulsion system that would produce power over long periods on small amounts of fuel for (1) surveillance and patrol satellites functioning in orbit for years, and (2) manned spaceships capable of speeds of 150,000 km/h on trips to distant planets now beyond the reach of conventionallyfuelled rockets.       On 7 April 1965, USAF announced that data from SNAP-10A satellite indicated “an extremely high noise factor” when the ion engine was turned on, making it impossible to determine whether it was operating properly. Scientists said the engine, which on Apr. 2 had operated normally for an hour, would not be tested further until additional analyses were made. The difficulty had not interfered with the major experimentoperation of the SNAP-10A nuclear reactor.      Mission objective: Test operation and life of a remotely-controlled nuclear reactor in space; also test ion propulsion. Twelve hours after launch, SNAP 10A was producing 600 watts of power.  Operated until 20 may 1965, when reactor shut down automatically for reasons external to its own operation. Ion propulsion unit did not perform adequately. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: On 14 November 1962, “Lt. Col. Charles N. Barnes (USAF) of AEC Reactor Development Div. told that first attempt to orbit nuclear reactor in joint AEC-USAF Project Snapshot would be made next year. Snap-10A would be launched with Atlas-Agena vehicle, the Agena stage to be orbited with the 430 kg Snap-10A which would furnish auxiliary electric power for instruments. Intended orbit would be several hundred mi. high. Reactor would be turned off after a year and the accumulated radioactive fission products allowed to decay over period of several hundred years; it would be designed to disintegrate during re-entry into earth’s atmosphere.“      On 5 October 1964, USAF announced an ion rocket would be tested in 90-day orbital flight next spring, using Agena vehicle. Electrical power to operate the engine would be provided by SNAP 10A reactor, the first test combining an electrical propulsion engine and a nuclear reactor in space.  Spokesmen said similar rocket had been succest+fdly tested in August in suborbital flight from Pt. Arguello, Calif. The new engine, developed by Electro-Optical Systeme, was said to have “developed the unheard-of specific impulse level of 7,800 seconds -- roughly 20 times greater than the best chemical rockets of today.” Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Astronautical And Aeronautical Events of 1962, p. 241 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 340-1 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 166-67, 172, 242, 582 ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Secor 4 / EGRS 4 Spacecraft: SEquential COllation of Range Numbers: 1965 payload #49 ; 1965-027B ; 528th spacecraft, 1,315th space object catalogued. Type: Geodesy Sponsor: U.S. Air Force & U.S. Army Launch: 3 April 1965 at 21h24 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7401 / Agena D). Orbit: 1,268 km x 1,315 km x  90.21° x 111.4 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: A U.S. Army SECOR IV geodetic satellite. / Secor IV was a 18 kg geodetic satellite. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 167, 582 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Intelsat 1 / Early Bird (Intelsat 1A) Spacecraft:  Intelsat 1 F-1 Numbers: 1965 payload #50 ; 1965-028A ; 529th spacecraft, 1,317th space object catalogued. Type: Communications Sponsor: Intelsat / International Telecommunications Satellit Consortium Launch: 6 April 1965 at 23h47 UTC, from Cape Canaveral's LC-17A, by a Delta DSV-3D (Thor Delta D 426 / Delta 30). Orbit: Initial: 1,463 km x 36,510 km x 11 hrs. 10 min. 9 Apr 65: 35,041.9 km x  36,637.1 km. 14 Apr 65: 35,780 km x 35,811 km x 0.085° x 23 hrs. 56 min. 57 sec. Geostationary at 28.0” West longitude. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Forever in orbit. Mission: Historical reports: ComSatCorp’s 38.5 kg Early Bird I, the first commercial communications satellite, was successfully launched. An hour after launching, flight control center confirmed that the satellite had entered an elliptical transfer orbit and was sending clear radio signals. NASA handled the launching under a contract with ComSatCorp. Early Bird I would become the first link in ComSatCorp’s proposed worldwide satellite communications system and would relay radio, television, teletype, and telephone messages between North America and Europe.      On 7 April 1965, Early Bird I successfully received, amplified, and returned a television signal to Andover, Me., ground station in an unscheduled communications test. ComSatCorp Vice President Siegfried H. Reiger said that “the picture quality of the test pattern was excellent.”      On 9 April 1965, Early Bird I was placed into a “near letter perfect” synchronous orbit. The five-day-early maneuver was accomplished by firing small retrorocket for 19.7 seconds. The satellite would be allowed to drift about 5° (over500 km) to the exact point over the Atlantic where it would remain for its expected three to five year lifetime. Early Bird I reached its permanent station over the Atlantic Ocean on 14 April 1965.      On 23 April 1965, Successful simultaneous two-way transmission of television tests via Early Bird communications satellite between the U.S. ground station at Andover, Me., and European ground stations at Pleumeur-Bodou, France; Goonhilly Downs, England; and Raisting, W. Germany, was announced by ComSatCorp. The pictures were of good quality.      On 28 May 1965, a tariff for the use of Early Bird satellites for transmission and reception of voice, record, data, telephoto, facsimile, television, and other signals was filed by ComSatCorp with the FCC. Beginning Sunday, June 27, voice channels would be available between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. EDT on a daily basis. Minimum rental period, one month; rent, $4,200. Voice channels would be two-way. No refunds would be given for interruptions of less than 30 min. or for those caused by solar eclipse. Interruptions of 30 min. or more not the responsibility of the customer would be refunded at roughly $3 per 30-min. interruption. ComSatCorp could request temporary surrender of a voice channel for TV use. […]      On 3 May 1965, Early Bird I transmitted clear pictures and sound of live television programs between Europe and North America for 14 hrs., demonstrating its usefulness in regularly scheduled television. For three weeks, television’s use of Early Bird I would be restricted to Mondays; daily commercial use would not begin until fall when rates had been fixed. The satellite would be used on other days for telephone purposes and transmission of recorded information.      On 6 April 1971, Intelsat 1 was reactivated to mark its sixth anniversary and relay first message ever transmitted directly from Hawaii to US. East Coast via commercial satellite. * * * * *      Early Bird 1 was a 35.5-kg satellite for commercial communications experiments. The 72.4 cm x 59.0 cm cylindrical spacecraft carried 2 traveling-wave tube transmitters, 2 VHF transmitters and 6 antennas. Its launched on a preliminary orbit was so excellent that, five days before schedule, ComSatCorp. was able to fire Early Bird’s apogee motor to place the satellite into synchronous orbit. Within a week of launch, Early Bird 1 began communications relay between Europe and North America, and offered continuous voice, TV, and data transmission over its 240 duplex channels.      On 9 June 1965, Early Bird I demonstrated its ability to relay commercial voice messages, photographs, and data between Europe and the U.S. During one exchange, a news photograph was relayed from London to the N.Y. offices of the Associated Press; simultaneously, Pan American Airways was relaying international airline reservations and communications, including pilot and control messages. Other uses included transmission of pictures and layouts for a fashion magazine and relay of bank signatures from New York for verification of a check-signer in London. Except for a slight echo bounced back from Europe on the voice transmissions, the reception was excellent.      On 15 June 1965, high-speed transmission of weather data between the U.S. and France was provided by Early Bird I communications satellite. Information gathered by TIROS IX weather satellite during a 24-hr. period and assembled on a chart at the World Weather Center in Maryland, was relayed to the Andover, Me., ground station; then, via Early Bird I, it was transmitted to the French ground station at Pleumeur-Bodou and on to the French National Weather Center in Paris. The demonstration illustrated a new and advanced forecast method which would include transmissions of facsimile charts and data at eight times the speed of present networks.  * * * * * Current overview: Built by Hughes Aircraft, Early Bird was a first step toward global telecommunications and was a commercial version of Hughes’ Syncom satellite. Notes: On 4 March 1964, ComSatCorp applied to FCC for authority to construct and orbit over the mid-Atlantic a synchronous-orbit communications satellite to provide commercial service on an “experimental-operational” basis between North America and Europe. The satellite was described by ComSatCorp as an “initial step in the development of a global communications system.” It would provide 24-hour communications service capable of relaying TV broadcasts or up to 240 telephone calls. Plans called for the satellite to be orbited in spring of 1965 with a TAT-Delta booster supplied by NASA on a reimbursable basis.      On 16 March 1964, FCC announced Communications Satellite Corp. planned negotiation of $8 million contract with Hughes Aircraft Co. for development, fabrication, assembly, test, maintenance, and service for “Early Bird” communications satellite -- the proposed experimental-operational comsat system. The proposed contract would be subject to FCC approval.      On 8 December 1964, ComSatCorp told FCC it planned to launch its first satellite, the Early Bird, in March as a communication link between Europe and North America. The Early Bird would be able to transmit two-way telephone conversations, television computer data, and other types of communications as an experiment in synchronous satellites, placed above the equator at an altitude of 35,900 km.      On 23 December 1964, NASA and ComSatCorp jointly announced the signing of an agreement covering the launching by NASA of “Early Bird”-the first communications satellite intended for commercial use. The agreement provided that NASA would launch Early Bird into synchronous orbit above the Atlantic as soon after March 1st as NASA found feasible. ComSatCorp would pay NASA approximately $3.5 million for the initial launch, whether or not the Delta launch vehicle was successful in orbiting the satellite, and for each subsequent launch under the contract. The $3.5 million would reimburse NASA for the cost of the Delta vehicle, other launch services, propellants, guidance and tracking services, and data processing. Should the first launch be unsuccessful, NASA would try again on a second satellite. The contract gave ComSatCorp the option of calling for additional launches, after July 1, of synchronous satellites of the same type. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Aeronautics and Astronautics 1964, p. 96, 411, 431 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 172, 176, 180, 184, 197, 214, 256-7, 260, 273, 382, 582; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Astronautics And Aeronautics, 1971, p. 98, 105 ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Luna Spacecraft:  E-6 No. 8 SA Numbers: 1965 payload #51 ; 1965 6th loss ; 530th spacecraft. Type: Lunar probe Sponsor: Soviet Union (Korolev's Design Bureau) Launch: 10 April 1965, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78L R103-26). Orbit: N/a Destroyed: 10 April 1965. Mission: Historical reports: x * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Kosmos 65 / Zenit-4 #6 Spacecraft:  Zenit-4 s/n 6 Numbers: 1965 payload #52 ; 1965-029A ; 531st spacecraft, 1,320th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: Soviet Union's Defense ministry Launch: 17 April 1965 at 9h50 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-31, by an A-2/"Voskhod" (11A57). Orbit: 210 km x 342 km x 65° x 89.8 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 25 April 1965. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos LXV from the Baikonur launch complex, 300 km northeast of Tyuratam, TASS announced. The satellite carried scientific instruments for continuing the Soviet space exploration program. All systems were functioning normally. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 189, 583 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Molniya 1-1 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #53 ; 1965-030A ; 532nd spacecraft, 1,324th space object catalogued. Type: Communications Sponsor: Soviet Union Launch: 23 April 1965 at 1h55 UTC, from Baykonur Cosmodrome's LC-1, by an A-2-e/"Molniya" (8K78 U103-35). Orbit: Initial: 497 km x 39,380 km x 65° x 11 hr. 48 min. April 1965: 498.4 km x 39,467.7 km x 11 hr. 48 min.  Early May 1965: 548.4 km x 40,045.2 km x 12 hr. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 27 May 1979. Mission: Historical reports: U.S.S.R. launched its first communications satellite Molniya I into orbit. Krasnaya Zvezda reported that the “basic purpose of launching the Molniya-1 communications satellite is to accomplish the transmission of TV programs and to perform two-way multichannel telephone, phototelegraphic and telegraphic communication. All the onboard equipment on the satellite and the ground radio network are operating normally, and the first transmission of TV programs between Vladivostok and Moscow were successfully completed.”      By early May 1965, orbit of Molniya I was slightly corrected to increase its usefulness for relaying telecasts between Moscow and Vladivostok. The corrected high elliptical orbit put Molniya I within the visibility of Russia’s ground stations for the greater part of its period.      On 6 May 1965, TASS reports that Molniya I, because of its higher and sharply elongated orbit, could transmit continuously several hours longer than American Telstars. TASS claimed that Telstars could transmit uninterruptedly for only 30 minutes.  [Although not mentioning that the Early Bird satellite could transmit interreupltly 24/7 from its geostationary post.]      On 12 May 1965, Molniya I maintained direct radiotelephone communications between Vladivostok and Sofia, Warsaw, and Prague for almost three hours.      On 27 May 1965, first experimental color television transmissions through the Soviet comsat Molniya I were reported by TASS. Programs were transmitted continuously for more than nine hours from the Moscow television center via Molniya I to an unidentified ground station about 1,500 km from Moscow and by land lines back to the Soviet capital. TASS said the tests included color television systems developed in the U.S., France, and the Soviet Union. The U.S.S.R. and France had recently concluded an agreement to cooperate in development of a joint system.      On 30 May 1965, Soviet press published first technical details and a sketch of Molniya 1.  The satelllite, which was visible nine hours a day from Soviet ground stations, had been used for experimental transmissions of television programs, including color, between Moscoe and Vladivostok.  According to the drawing and the text description, Molniya I had an airtight cylindrical body with conical ends, one of which contained a rocket engine used to correct the orbit, as well as other solar orientation devices. Expanding like spokes of a wheel from the cylinder were six long panels of solar batteries to supply electrical power to the satellite for retransmission of signals received from earth. It was equipped with two parabolic antennas, one active, the other in reserve. These were pointed toward earth with a high-precision direction finder for earth-bound transmissions. Molniya I would make two 12-hr. revolutions around the earth every 24 hrs. One loop would take it over the Soviet Union during daytime periods, when it could be of most use for transmissions. The other loop would take it over the United States.      On 4 July 1965, status report on Molniya I was given by I. P. Petrushkin of the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Communication: “Tests have demonstrated that the combinations of the terrestrial and onboard communication equipment of the Molniya-1 satellite assure the possibility of the reliable transmission of black and white TV.       “On Sundays, via the Molniya-1, a regular exchange of TV programs is being conducted between Moscow and the Pacific coast. During May and June, tests were also run on the quality of the multichannel telephone system. The systems were simultaneously loaded with phone conversations, tonal telegraphy, phototelegraphy. and radio broadcasting programs. Even under such an ‘optimal’ regime, the communication channels function fairly reliably.       “In June, there was put into operation the commercial long-distance phone link between Moscow and Vladivostok, functioning via the Molniya-1.” Color TV sessions yielded encouraging results. * * * * * Current overview: The experimental communicitons satellite Molniya 1 fonctioned well, established regular TV and telephone relay periods between Moscow and Vladivostok; experimented with color TV. Joint experiments were conducted with France on possible future international comsat system. Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 197, 216, 221, 228, 254, 259-60, 313, 583 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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KH-7 17 / Gambit-1 17 Spacecraft: KH-7 no. 17 / GAMBIT SV 967 / OPS 4983 ; AFP-206 [F17] SV 967? Numbers: 1965 payload #54 ; 1965-031A ; 533rd spacecraft, 1,327th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 28 April 1965 at 20h09 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7102 / Agena D). Orbit: 153 km x 275 km x 95° x 88.1 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 3 May 1965 (5.1 days). Mission: Historical reports: USAF orbited two unidentified satellites with a single Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle launched from Vandenberg AFB. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 206, 583 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; Jonathan McDowell's USAF imaging programs' Satellite Summary: KH-7 (Program 206) ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Hitchhiker 8 Spacecraft:  OPS 6717 / [EHH B1] Numbers: 1965 payload #55 ; 1965-031B ; 534th spacecraft, 1,329th space object catalogued. Type: Electronic intelligence Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 28 April 1965 at 20h09 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-2-4, by an Atlas-Agena D (Atlas 7102 / Agena D). Orbit: 488 km x 560 km x 95.2° x 95 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: 31 October 1969. Mission: Historical reports: USAF orbited two unidentified satellites with a single Atlas-Agena D launch vehicle launched from Vandenberg AFB. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 206, 583 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 90 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Explorer 27 / Beacon Explorer C Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #56 ; 1965-032A ; 535th spacecraft, 1,328th space object catalogued. Type: Geodesy and upper atmosphere studies Sponsor: NASA Launch: 29 April 1965 at 14h17 UTC, from Wallops Island LA-3, by a Scout X-4 (S136R). Orbit: 921.3 km x 1,162.4 km x 41° x 108 min. 940 km x 1,318 km x 41° x 108 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Still in orbit. Mission: Historical reports: Explorer XXVII (BE-C) satellite was successfully launched. Primary mission of the 60-kg, windmill-shaped satellite was geodetic measurement: irregularities in the Earth’s gravitational field would be mapped by analysis of the Doppler shift of radio signals from the spacecraft. As a secondary mission, Explorer XXVII would provide data related to ionospheric studies and would evaluate further the use of laser techniques in deriving orbital and geodetic information and for deep space communication. All systems were operating as planned. * * * * * Current overview: Explorer XXVII was a 60-kg science satellite which map irregularities of Earth’s gravitational field, continue collection of global electron counts for cross sections of the ionosphere, and continue experiments with laser for tracking, geodetic, and communications purpose. It was a 45 cm x 30 cm octagonal satellite, with 4 solar panels extending like windmill blades. It carried as science instrument magnetometers, laser signal detector and two bar magnets. Explorer XXVII was the second in series of five satellites in geodetic research.  Its results would supplement those of Explorer XXII (making same measurements a 80° inclination). Electron count experiment involved 86 ground stations in 36 countries, largest international effort to date. Still in orbit.  Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 207, 583 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 91 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Discoverer 90 / KH-4A 19 / CORONA 94 Spacecraft:  KH-4A 1019 / CORONA J-4 / OPS 5023 Numbers: 1965 payload #57 ; 1965-033A ; 536th spacecraft, 1,330th space object catalogued. Type: Reconnaissance Sponsor: U.S. National Reconnaissance Office Launch: 29 April 1965 at 21h44 UTC, from Vandenberg Air Force Base's PALC-1-1, by a Thor-Agena D (Thor 2C 437 / Agena D SS-01B 1614). Orbit: 180 km x 467 km x 85° x 90.9 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Recovered: 26 May 1965. Mission: Historical reports: USAF launched Thor-Agena D from Vandenberg AFB with unidentified satellite payload.  Officially: to develop spaceflight techniques and technology. Reentered on 26 May 1965; a part of the payload separated, was designated 1965-33B, reentered 5 May 1965. * * * * * Current overview: x Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 207, 584 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; NRO's Corona : JPL's Corona : TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 91 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;

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Transtage 6 Spacecraft:  Numbers: 1965 payload #58 ; 1965-034A ; 537th spacecraft, th space object catalogued. Type: Technology Sponsor: U.S. Air Force Launch: 6 May 1965 at 15h00 UTC, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base's LC-20, by a Titan 3A (3A-6). Orbit: Initial: 174 km x 201 km x 88.1 min. 2nd orbital firing: 185 km x 2,829 km 3rd orbital firing: 2,784 km x 2,806 km 4th orbital firing: 2,777 km x 3,730 km x 32.07° x 157 min. 2,775 km x 3,730 km x 32.07° x 157 min. A&A  km x  km x ° x  min. ESAM  km x  km x ° x  min. USCSP  km x  km x ° x  min. TRW   km x  km x ° x  min. Wade Decayed: Mission: Historical reports: USAF Titan III-A rocket was launched in a maneuverability test in which the third stage (transtage), carrying two satellites, executed a series of consecutive and intricate maneuvers. Primary goal of the mission was four separate ignitions of the transtage’s engines - a feat never before attempted. First firing, after burnout of the first two stages, lasted 296 seconds and injected the 3-ton rocket-payload assembly into an orbit of 174 km x 201 km, and 88.1 min. period. After one orbit, about 90 minutes after launch, the third stage ignited a second time, for 37 seconds, driving the stage upward into an elliptical orbit of 185 km x 2,829 km. Two and one-half hours later, transtage's engines burned a third time, for 27 seconds, to circularize the orbit at 2,784 km x 2,806 km. Seven hours after launch, the transtage was fired a fourth time, driving it into a final elliptical orbit. * * * * * Current overview: x Notes: In July 1964, it was reported that nine payloads had been chosen for flight aboard the research and development launchs of the USAF Titan III. Five of the experiments were said to be experimental communications satellites built by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and the sixth a backup communications satellite from Lincoln Lab. The remaining three were scientific satellites using the modified Arents spacecraft shell. To avoid confusion with the defunct Arents program, the latter spacecraft were to be called Orbiting Vehicle 2 (OV-2). Source: Jonathan McDowell's Master List ; Mark Wade’s Encyclopedia Astronautica's 1965 Chronology ; Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, p. 269 ; Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965, p. 219-20, 584 ; National Space Science Data Center's  ; TRW Space Log 1996 (Vol. 32), p. 91 ; Gunter's  ; Celestrak's Satcat=1965 ;